Pasindu Sooriyabandara created an unwanted feat on Test debut [Source: X]The Sri Lanka team management was forced to include Pasindu Sooriyabandara in the playing XI on Day 4 of their series-opening first Test against India in Galle. The 26-year-old was named as a concussion substitute for experienced middle-order batter Dinesh Chandimal, doing so during the fourth innings of the match.The occasion also happened to be Sooriyabandara’s international debut for Sri Lanka after scoring heavily in his country’s first-class domestic structure. As it turned out, his Test career started off on a dismal note as the youngster attained a huge unwanted record to his name.Sooriyabandara becomes first Sri Lankan in nearly a decade for an unwanted recordPasindu Sooriyabandara made his Test debut for Sri Lanka on Day 4 of their first Test match against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium. The cricketer was named as a concussion substitute for experienced pro Dinesh Chandimal.Also Read- Sanjay Manjrekar, Murali Kartik's Fun Banter Turns Into Ugly Spat During IND vs SL 1st TestBatting at number three in the fourth innings in a chase of 372 for Sri Lanka, the 26-year-old arrived to the crease in the seventh over shortly after the dismissal of opening batter Nishan Fernando. Facing the first ball of his career, Pasindu Sooriyabandara completely failed to read Manav Suthar’s length delivery while playing for the turn.The cricketer was struck on his pads, thus igniting a huge appeal from the Indian camp. While the on-field umpire declared it not out, the third umpired judged him out after Indian players took the decision upstairs.Falling for a first-ball duck, Sooriyabandara became the first Sri Lankan batter to be dismissed for a golden duck on Test debut since Akila Dananjaya. Previously, Dananjaya was dismissed for a first-ball duck on his Test debut way back in February 2018 during an away Test match against Bangladesh in Mirpur.Why did Pasindu Sooriyabandara play first Test despite not being named in initial SL XI?In the playing XI sheet, the Sri Lanka team management named only one debutant in the form of spin-bowling all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha.However, Pasindu Sooriyabandara became the second Sri Lankan debutant of the match by taking field on Day 4 against India in Galle.Earlier in the day, experienced middle-order batter Dinesh Chandimal was taken off the field after he suffered a neck injury. The cricketer got his head bumped into the ground in an awkward position as he was trying to stop a KL Rahul sweep towards the deep square leg region. He was subsequently taken to the hospital for scans, prompting the Sri Lankan management to bring Pasindu Sooriyabandara into the field.CREX @Crex_live SL vs IND 1st Test Update🚨: Dinesh Chandimal was earlier taken to the hospital for scans. He has been assessed for concussion and will be replaced in the Lankan XI by Pasindu Sooriyabandara. #Cricket #INDvsSL #DineshChandimal Aug 18, 2026, 2:31 PM Sooriyabandara was already one of the back-up players selected for the series-opening first Test owing to his prolific record in first-class cricket. While he was dismissed for a first-ball duck against India, the elegant right-handed batter averages 54.36 in first-class cricket for aggregating nearly 5,000 runs in just 102 innings.Sooriyabandara’s unwanted record plunges Sri Lanka into further troublePasindu Sooriyabandara’s first-ball dismissal plunged Sri Lanka into further trouble at 14-2 in 7.2 overs. Chasing 372 runs for a win in the first Test of the two-match series, the hosts also lost Kamindu Mendis at number four for just two to slip to 21-3 before stumps on Day 4.Also Read- Australia Squad Vs Bangladesh For 2nd Test Announced; Matt Renshaw Returns
